Driving mechanism for type-writing machines.



No. 732,656. PATENTBD JUNE 30,1503.

H. HILL. DRIVING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING, MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 16, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' no MODEL.

all'otncub uoams PEYLRS o0. PHO'O-LIT 'No. 732,556. PATENTED JUNE 30, 1903.

H. HILL; DRIVING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16, 1902.-

NO MODEL. 3 SHEETS-$11215! 2.

IX) 'vfM mac n PATENTED JUNE so, 1903.

- 11., HILL. DRIVING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLIOATION FILED D110. 16, 1902.

a SHERRY-SHEET a,

no MODEL.

(Juvenfo'i.

witnesses mums vzrms co mm'am'uu, wunmmon. n. c.

UNITED STATES i atented June 30, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN lIILL, OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, AS SIGNOR TO PRENDERGAST ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

, SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 732,556, dated June 30, 1903.

Application filed December 16, 1902. Serial No. 135,389. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERMANN I-IILL, a subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, residing in the .city of Savannah, county of Chathamfitate of Georgia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Type-WVriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to driving mechanism for the printing elements of type-writingmachines, and more especially to driving mechanism for'type-carriers adapted for use on type-writing machines of the character disclosed and claimed in the joint application of J ohnS. Harrison and myself, filed April 12, 1902, Serial No. 102, 592, wherein is illustrated an' electrically operated type writing machine embodying a movable element governed by the keys or key-levers, with a constant travel combined with a type carrier or wheel having avariable or differential travel.

My object is to provide an improved driving mechanism of the kind shown in said application, which shall be simple and eifective in operation, possessing the smallest number of parts consistent with the function required, economical of manufacture, and (Inrable in use.

WVith these objects in view my invention consists of the novel construction and details thereof, as hereinafter described with refer-- ence to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the application of my invention to an electrically-operated type-writing machine. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view to illustrate the circuit closing and breaking device, and Fig. 3 is a top plan View.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same reference characters relate to the same or corresponding partsin all the views, the letter A indicates the frame of the machine, which may be of any suitable shape to support the various parts, upon which frame are fulcrumed key-levers B, as at 17, each passing under and engaging a universalbar C, pivotally supported above the lower frame and connected by a jointed rod 0 to a contactplate or circuit-closer D, pivotally supported under the frame, said-rod passing loosely through a hole in the plate D and having a nut c to hold the rod thereto. The keyboard is preferably divided in two parts, and as both sides of the keyboard and connected parts are identical a description and showing of one will suffice, it being understood that when the universal bar C is operated by movement of the keys on one side the rod 0 on the other side idly plays in its hole in the plate'D, so

that while all the printing elements are operated by the. movement of anykey, as hereinafter shown, only that universal bar which is over the particular key-lever touched will Movement of either bar C will close when the circuit-cl0ser D is moved into con 7c tact with the binding-post E the core I of the solenoid or the armature of the magnet, when the latter is used, will be drawn upwardly, this core or armature constituting the movable element of the motor with con- 7-5 stant travel and from which the various movements of all the printing elements are derived, as explained below.

The type-carrier-driving mechanism consists in the present instance essentially of a rotating shaft J, having a constant travel and bearing an arm K, loosely mounted thereon, but locked thereto when in the normal position of rest of the carrier or wheel L. This type carrier or wheel L is supported upon the 8 5 arm K by a suitable post is and moves with the shaft J ,when fixed thereto, through the medium of the plate R, fixed collar T, and other devices not shown herein, as they form no part of the present invention, the same 7 being embodied in an application filed by me of even date herewith. Motion is imparted to the shaft J through the medium of a cam.

M, having a slot m extending on both sides of a central point m with which slot engages a roller 01 on an upward extension at of the forward arm of the lever N, fulcrumed at n at the rear of the machine, the other arm 'n of said lever having a detachable connection with a swinging link 2 on the core I, the jaw of which link engages the hooked end a of the said lever. Movement of the. arm n upwardly will throw the roller n downward, which, traveling in the slot to one side or the other of the center, will impart rotary motion to the shaft J, such motion being limited by the inclination of the slot in and the travel of the roller, and such rotary motion will, when the typecarrier L is fixed thereto, cause said typeearrier to move, so as to bring the character thereon to printing position, which is in the case shown at the center line of the machine. It will be seen that every time the circuit is closed by the operation of any key the motor will be energized and cause the movable element thereto to impart the described motion to the shaft. In order to cause the roller 72 to start in the proper side of the slot to give the required direction to the motion of the shaft for the key operated, and hence for the character selected, the said roller being normally at rest in the apex of the slot, the forward lever-arm is jointed, so that the roller may be moved laterally to either side of said apex, said jointed connection consisting of a pivoted arm 71/, fulerumed at n on the arm N, and to initially move this arm n tappet-s are fulcrumed on the fixed structure below said arm, the forward upper edges 0 of which tappets are beveled or undercut, so as to engage a pin 1) on an arm or bar P, extending downwardly from each universal bar 0, so that when the latter is raised by the key-levers it will cause the tappet O to swing backward 011 its fulcrum from its normal position of rest, in which latter position said tappet is held by a suitable spring 0. Each tappet has a beveled projection or cam 0 on the side next the leverarm or, adapted to engage a corresponding part n" on said arm, so that as it is moving backward the projection 0 will engage n and push the arm n" toward the opposite side of the machine, and with it the roller 77, will move away from its central position and be in a position to travel in the side of the slot on opposite to that on which the key moved is located, and will thus enable the shaft J to swing the type-carrier toward the operated side of the keyboard to bring the character corresponding to that of the key moved to printing position. The lever-arm n" is thus movably connected to the shaft and is properly positioned with respect thereto by the movement of each key in the manner above described. To insure the centering of the roller n at the apex of the slot while at rest, the extension n of the arm a is provided with projections M, which engage the sides of the slot, enlarged at q, between the guide-posts Q, confining the said extension in its vertical travel, and the upper edge of said extension a has beveled edges 11 corresponding to the bevels of the projections 0 which beveled edges n? engage correspondingly-beveled surfaces n" on the fixed structure above and in line with the extension n, whereby the said extension is caused to move into its normal central position when the lever N is released by the motor after the printing operation, the

tappet 0 having in the meantime resumed its normal position under the influence of the spring 0, which is free to exert its force when the operating-key is released, the universal bar 0 thus resuming its normal position and moving the pin 1) out of contact with the part 0.

Sufiicient of the impression mechanism and the carriage-feeding mechanism is shown to indicate the relation between the several printing elements of the machine, the letter 10 indicating the operating link connection between the rod 10 and the hammer, (not shown,) and the rod to having a notch w engaging a hammer operating lever X, 'lulcrumed at a: on the frame and having its other arm detachably connected by notched engagement with the hooked end of a link 1' suspended from the core or armature I of the solenoid or magnet G, so that movement of the movable element of the motor will operate said hammer through the medium of the lever X and the rod w and link 10 A spring 56 engages the fixed standard WV, normally pressing the rod 110 into engagement with the lBVGl'X.

The carriage-feeding devices are governed by a lever Y, fulcrumed at 3 on the frame, one end of the lever having a detachable connection with a link 1, attached to the core I, the other end being provided with a roller .2 engaging an inclined slot in a plate Z, sliding in bearings on the frame. A feed-pawl 3 is pivoted at '1 on said plate and is provided with teeth adapted to engage the rack on the carriage. (Not shown.) A checking-pawl .s' is fulcrumed at s and is normally pressed upward by a spring .9 and bears a roller 3 which engages the rack of the carriage to prevent it moving more than one space, such roller beingheld positively against the rack at a certain time by means of a projection s on the outer end of the pawl engaging a stud 3, carried by a rocker-arm S, rocked at the proper timeby the rod 5, connected to the sliding plate Z, so as to bring the stud s and projection .s" into contact. A cam X is pivoted upon the plate Z and provided with a suitable slot in which a pin g on the pawl 11 engages to effect upward movement of the pawl, a pin 01: on the said cam X being adapted to engage an arm or cam-track .2 on the lever Y, whereby as the plate is moved backward by the roller .2 the cam X. will be swung on its pivot, thereby raising the pawl 1 into engagement with the carriage-rack. \Vhen the lever Y is released on breaking the circuit, the spring 1], Fig. 1, pushes the arm up and causes the roller to push the plate Z one notch or tooth, thus feeding the carriage, during which movement the forward edge of the cam X strikes a fixed stud ,2", thereby restoring the cam X to its release position. This mechanism forms no part of my present invention only so far as relates to the breaking device in connection therewith, below described, and I have therefore merely indicated the relation of the several parts to the present invention, the specific carriagefeeding devices forming the subject of an application filed by me concurrently herewith.

To avoid unnecessary expenditure of energy, breaking devices are interposed between the movable element of the motor and, preferably, both the type-carrier and the impression devices, designed to render inoperative these parts whenever it is desired to space without printing. Such devices are shown in Fig. 1, where a rocker-arm 0c is fulcrumed at :0 upon the fixed structure, having one arm attached to a rod 00 connected with the spacing-lever 00 through an intervening bell-crank as and the other arm provided with a pin or stud adapted to engage the lower notched end of the link the latter of which is normally pressed into engagement with the hooked end of the hammer-operating lever X by the spring a fixed to the standard W, so that by depression of the spacing-key the rod 00 pulls the said notched end 10 from engagement with the lever X, thus rendering the impression device inoperative while the carriage is being .moved by its connections with the movable element I of the motor, it being understood that the spacing-key lever controls the oper-' ation of the movable element in a similar manner to the other keys. One of the rods 0 passes through a slotted guide as on the spacing-lever and has a stop 02 thereon, so that when the spacing-lever is moved the lower contact-plate'D will be raised to close the circuit. A somewhat similar construction is used for breaking the connection between the type-carrier-operating lever and the type-carrier, a link 00 connecting the rod 50 through the intervening bell-crank w with a rockerarm 00 which pushes the linkiout of engagement with the lever N when the spacing-key is depressed and restoring such connection when it is released.

It will be observed that the connections between the printing elements and the movable element of the motor are so timed that all the printing elements will be operated in proper order to print and space the characters.

I claim as my invention 1. In a type-writing machine having operating-keys, the combination with a rotary typecarrier shaft having a constant travel from a normal position of rest, of an operating-lever having one arm movably connected to the shaft for imparting motion thereto, and means controlled by the movement ofthe keys for positioning the arm with respect to the shaft to give proper direction of motion thereto, substantially as described.

2. In atype-writing machine having operating-keys, the combination with a rotary typecarrier shaft, of a motor having a movable element with constant travel, a lever connecting said movable element with the shaft and adapted to impart constant travel to the same from a normal position of rest, and means controlled by the movement of the keys forpositioning the engaging arm of the lever with respect to the shaft in order to give, proper direction of motion thereto, substantially as described 3. In atype-writing machine having operating-keys, the combination with a rotary typecarrier shaft, of an electric motor having a movable element of constant travel, a lever connected to the movable element and having a movable connection with the shaft and adapted to impart constant travel thereto from a normal position of rest, a circuit-clos ing device controlled by the keys for closing the circuit through the motor, and connec-" tions between said device and the lever for moving it to proper position with respect to the shaft to give proper direction of motion thereto, substantially as described.

4. In a type-writing machine having operating-keys, the combination with a rotary typecarrier shaft, of a cam on the shaft, an opering-lever having an arm engaging said cam, means for operating said lever, and devices controlled by the keys of the machine for positioning the en gaging arm of the lever with respect to the cam to give proper direction of motion to the shaft for the key operated, substantially as described.

5. In atype-writing machine having operat-' ing-keys, the combination with a rotary typecarrier shaft, of a cam having a slot therein inclined from an apex in two directions, an operating-lever having one arm engagingsaid slot at its apex when the shaft is in its normal position of rest, and devices controlled by the keys for moving the lever-arm to one side or the other of the apex in order to cause it to give proper direction of motion. to the shaft for the character selected, substantially as de- 7 scribed.

6. In atype-writing machine having operating-keys, the combination with a rotary typecarrier shaft, of a cam having a double inclined slot therein, an operating-lever having a laterally-movable arm provided with a stud engaging said slot and normally resting at the apex thereof, pivoted tappet-arms adapted to swing said arm to one side or the other of the apex of the slot, and connections between the keys and said tappets for moving the same, substantially as described.

7. In a type-writing machine having operating-keys, thecombination with arotary typecarrier shaft, of a cam on the shaft having a double inclined slot'therein, an operating-lever having a laterally-movable arm provided with a stud engaging said slot and normally restingat the apex'thereof, projections on each side of said arm, tappets adapted to engage said projections, and connections between the .tappets and keys for moving the said tappets, substantially as described.

8. In a t ype-writin g machine having operating-keys, the combination with a rotary typecarrier shaft, of a cam on the shaft having adouble inclined slot therein, an operating-lever controlled by the keys having a laterallymovable arm provided with a stud normally resting at the apex of the slot, a pivoted tappet IIO on each side of the arm having a beveled end, beveled projections on said arm, apivoted bar having a pin engaging said beveled end, and connections between said bar and the keys for causing the tappets to swing on their pivots when a key is operated, substantially as described.

0. In a type-writin g machine having operatin g-keys,the combination with a motor having a movable element, of a rotary type-carrier shaft having a cam thereon, an operatinglever controlled by the movable element of the motor, and having a laterally-movable arm provided with a stud engaging said cam, a pivoted bar operated by the keys to control the motor, and connections between said bar and the laterally-movable arm for swinging the latter into proper position with respect to the cam to cause it to be moved by the lever in the proper direction for the key operated, substantially as described.

10. In a t e-writin" machine havin 0 )er-,

ating-keys, the combination with an electric motor having a movable element, of a rotary type-carrier shaft having a cam thereon, an operating-lever connected to the movable element of the motor and having a laterallymovable arm engaging the cam, a universal bar adapted to be moved by the keys, a circuit closing and breaking device connected to said bar and in circuit with the motor, and connections between the bar and the laterally- .movable arm, whereby the latter is moved into proper relation to the cam to cause the arm to give proper direction of motion to the shaft for the key operated, substantially as described.

11. In a type-writing machine having operating-keys, the combination with an electric motor having a movable element, of a rotary type-carrier shaft having a cam thereon, an operating-leverconnected to the movable element of the motor and having a laterallymovable arm engaging the cam, a universal bar adapted to be moved by the keys, a circuit closing and breaking device connected to said bar and in circuit with the motor, a pivoted tappet on each side of the arm, and a device on the bar adapted to move said tappet to cause it to engage the arm, whereby the latter is moved into proper relation to the cam to cause the arm to give proper .direction of motion to the shaft for the key operated, substantially as described.

12. In a type-writing machine having operating-keys, the combination with an electric motor having a movable element, of a rotary type-carrier shaft having a cam thereon, an operating-lever connected to the movable element of the motor and having a laterallymovable arm engaging the cam, a universal bar adapted to be moved by the keys, a circuit closing and breaking device connected to said bar and in circuit with the motor, beveled projections on each side of the arm, a pivoted tappet at each side of said arm havin g a beveled end,and a pin on the bar adapted to engage the beveled end of the tappet when the bar is moved by a key, whereby the arm is moved into proper relation to the cam to cause the arm to give proper direction of motion to the shaft for the key operated, substantially as described.

13. In a type-writing machine having oper ating-keys, the combination with an electric motor having a movable element in interrupted circuit with the keys, a rotary typecarrier shaft having a cam provided with a double inclined slot, an operatii'ig-lever connected to the movable element and having a laterally-movable arm provided with a stud engaging the slot and normally resting at the apex thereof, a universal bar operated by the keys, a circuit-closing member connected to said bar, means connected with said bar for swinging the arm to one side or the other of the apex of the slot, and guides adapted to engage the arm and direct it to its normal position when the circuit is broken, whereby the stud is swung to proper relation with the slot for operating the rotary shaft and prop erly centered when resuming its normal position, substantially as described.

lei. In a type-writing machine havin operating-keys, the combination with a motor having a movable element, of a type-carricr-opcrating lever detachably connected to the movable element, an i'mpression-mechanismoperating lever connected to said movable element, a carriage, a carriage-operating lever connected to the movable element, a spacinglever, means controlled by the keys and the s pacin g-lever for energizing the motor, rockerarms adapted to break the connections between the movable element and said operating-levers, and link connectionsbetwcen said rocking levers and the spacing-lever, whereby when the latter is operated the impression mechanism and the type-carrier are'rendered inoperative, substantially as described.

15. In a type-writin g machine having operating-keys, the combination with a motor having a movable element, impression-mechanism-operating rod having anotched end,animpression-mechanism-operating lever detachably engaging said notched end, a spacinglever,carriage mechanism, an operating-lever for the same connected to the movable element, means controlled by the keys and spacing-lever for energizing the motor, a rockerarm having a pin or stud bearing against the rod, and a link connection between the spacing-lever and the rocker-arm, whereby the connection between the movable element of the motor and the impression mechanisms is broken when the spacing-lever is operated, substantially as described.

16. In a type-writing machine having operating-keys, the combination with a motor having a movable element, of a rotary type-carrier shaft, a swinging link having a hooked end suspended on the movable element, an operating-lever for the shaft having an end hearing on said hooked end of the link, a rocker- TIO - ing-lever, carriage mechanism, an operatinglever connecting the same with the movable V element, means controlled by the keys and the spacing-lever for energizing the motor, and a link connection between the rocker-arm and the spacing-lever, substantially as described.

17. In a type-writing machine having operating-keys, and a spacing-lever, the combination with an electric motor having a movable element in circuit with the keys and the spacing-lever, carriage mechanism, an operatinglever connecting the same with the movable element, a circuit-closing device controlled by the keys and spacing-lever for closing the circuit through the motor, an impression-mechanism rod having a notched end,an operatinglever connected to the movable element and detachably engaging the notched end of the said rod, type-carrier mechanism, an operating-lever connected thereto, a swinging link on, the movable element of the motor having a hooked end upon which one end of the typecarrieroperating lever bears, a rocker-arm having a pin or stud adapted to push the link from engagement with the said lever end, a rocker-arm having a pin or stud adapted to push the impression-rod from engagement with its lever, and link connections between the spacing-lever and said rocker-arms, substantially as described.

18. In a type-writing machine having operating keys and a spacing-lever, the combination with an electric motor having a movable 35- element, carriage mechanism, an operatinglever for the same connected to the movable element, of a universal bar adapted to be moved by the keys and the spacing-lever, a

circuit-closing device controlled by said bar, 40

an impression-device-operating rod having a notched end, an operating-lever having one arm detachably engaging said notched end and the other arm connected to the movable element of the motor, a type-carrier-operating 4'5 lever, a swinging link having a hooked end engaging one arm of said lever, rocker-arms provided with studs or pins adapted to release the two operating-levers from engagement with the respective levers, and link connec- 50 tions between said rocker-arms and the spacing-lever, substantially as described.

I11 testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERMANN HILL.

Witnesses:

WALTER R. BEACH, HUBERT HowsoN. 

